Encounters Film Festival Director, Rich Warren, shares his experience of what makes a great Encounters film and how filmmakers can best use festivals to their advantage.

If you're wondering how a film festival can enhance your career, or what the ticket price can give you that you can't get at the local multiplex; spend a few minutes listening to Rich Warren the director of the Encounters Film Festival. Rich started as an intern at Encounters and over the years has helped the festival grow. He continues to watch the submissions and bring filmmakers and members of the industry together.

Initially starting live as Brief Encounters back in 1995 as a one off event to mark the centenary of cinema, the festival as gone from strength to strength. Animated Encounters was added to the fixtures in 2001 and in 2006 the two festivals united to become the Encounters Short Film Festival. Since then the festival has grown in standing, becoming a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards short film category.